's ascent was prepared with an appearance on the soundtrack and a mixtape presented by , yet 2005's wasn't exactly hotly anticipated. On the strength of two Top Ten R&B singles, the album eventually went platinum, several months after release, slowly transforming her into one of R&B's biggest stars -- one often mentioned on a first-name basis, and one with several comparisons to . 's second album will only prompt more of those comparisons, nearly to the extent that it might seem like its purpose. In addition to becoming 's labelmate at , prefaced the album's release with performances that included her takes on and -- two songs memorably updated by a young -- which could be construed as insolence, reverence, or a combination of the two. In some ways, plays out like an album that could've only been made after 's . The common collaborators include , and , two of whom had nothing to do with could have been written to one-up ; these two productions are somewhat similar in makeup, though the former's sting is a little more bittersweet while also hitting just a little bit harder. would sound natural flowing out of not just sonically but as the next natural development in a busted relationship -- from putting a foot down to making a recovery. Both tracks are productions. Songs co-written and produced by others, like would also be easy fits on , balancing desperation with conviction and mixing lush arrangements with penetrative melodies. Add a wicked -produced throwback to 's golden era, a repeat appearance of 's album-stealing feature from -- which, coincidentally, also contains a feature -- and a photo spread that looks very -like, and you might wonder whether or not is pulling a Single Black Female. ( ? Just like who, exactly?) Despite all this weirdness, this stands as a very good album by Keyshia Cole, also the point where 's voice grows from an occasionally powerful emotive device into a versatile instrument. ~ Andy Kellman